Recent content by RuralMT

  1. R

    12 states join Utah

    I suspect he'd be run out of Helena on a rail if he proposed it during an election year. I can't imagine such a proposal would go well in areas of the state like region 1 which are overwhelmingly public land. Let's hope I'm correct!
  2. R

    Montana Tree-Stand Hunting

    This has been my experience as well. With so much public land it's not hard to get away from the crowds, even with minimal effort. I've been chasing grouse in the thick stuff since I tagged out a few weeks ago and its evident the animals are there. Don't give up!
  3. R

    Montana Tree-Stand Hunting

    This would seem to imply a more mobile approach to search out does, as Buzz discussed above. So many options...
  4. R

    Montana Tree-Stand Hunting

    In your opinion, what is the ideal tree, as far as species, diameter, etc.? I'm running through my options in my head and am curious how the trees up here would hold up, namely their bark. Ponderosa, for instance, has thick, scale-like bark that you can peel off in chunks. The bark of...
  5. R

    December Upland Hunting in Montana

    I'm embarrassed to admit, but I hadn't given blues much thought, predominately because of the snow, haha. The upper elevations surrounding town are snowed in; although I do own a pair of snowshoes...
  6. R

    December Upland Hunting in Montana

    I wish I had that problem, haha. The closest huns for me involve a several-hour drive, which is hard to justify for birds alone. But man are they fun to chase.
  7. R

    December Upland Hunting in Montana

    Therein lies the rub. My options, as far as vegetation is concerned, consist of mixed-conifer forests, predominantly comprised of doug-fir and rather lacking in deciduous trees, with the exception of tamarack. I went cruising through an older cut that was dominated by the latter and didn't...
  8. R

    Montana Tree-Stand Hunting

    Are you climbing up into your tree before daylight? Also, do you practice that shot angle during the off-season?
  9. R

    Montana Tree-Stand Hunting

    Well I sincerely appreciate your willingness to share. You mentioned 39 years of WT experience up here; any advice is appreciated, as I'm on the exact opposite end of the spectrum with only 4 successful seasons under my belt in my new home. It's gratifying to see that I'm doing some things...
  10. R

    Montana on the Upswing?

    Agreed; my apologies for derailing the thread. How do those numbers fare with what you've experienced in the past? I find it interesting that the Highway 2 check station (presumably the one between Kalispell and Kila?) checked twice the hunters as Olney, yet the Olney station saw the same...
  11. R

    Montana Tree-Stand Hunting

    That in and of itself is enough to convince me on the method!
  12. R

    Montana Tree-Stand Hunting

    Thanks again fellas. You've definitely given me a good place to start, as far as confirming the sit-and-wait in thick timber idea. I believe I'll be using my December stretching out my upland tag and scouting out more territory. Mitchmo, do you have any safety concerns with climbing stands...
  13. R

    December Upland Hunting in Montana

    Doug fir stands...copy that. I reckon I can find a few of those around here, haha. Thanks for the confirmation. My buddies think I'm crazy for spending December hunting them without a dog, rather than chasing safe/early ice! I like the thought of having the woods mostly to myself.
  14. R

    Montana Tree-Stand Hunting

    Excellent to hear, thanks Ben. It makes perfect sense, as countless whitetail are taken from stands across the country. Do you build multiple blinds during the scouting season and if so, are you placing them along travel corridors or over water/food sources?
  15. R

    Montana on the Upswing?

    Oh no doubt. There are simply too many variables for an accurate comparison. But until a similar study is done in a similar area (or until I'm shown such a study), it's about all I have to go off of, other than opinion. And I agree with the uncertainty of what that little buck might grow up...
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